Non Co-operation and Khilafat Movement

In a system called “dyarchy,” the nation-building departments of government — agriculture, education, public works, and the like — were placed under ministers who were individually responsible to the legislature. The departments that made up the “steel frame” of British rule — finance, revenue, and home affairs — were retained by executive councillors who were nominated by the Governor.

As the government refused to yield, Gandhiji announced that mass civil disobedience would begin in Bardoli taluqa of Surat.

However, in Chauri Chaura, Gorakhpur on 5 February 1922 crowd set fire on a police station and killed some policemen. On hearing this, Gandhiji decided to withdraw the movement.

The congress working committee ratified his decision. Thus, on February 12, 1922, the non-cooperation movement came to an end.

Assessing the Withdrawal:

Some scholars say that Gandhiji withdrew the movement because he wanted to protect the interests of the propertied class.

Some argue that there was no logic why a small incident should lead to withdrawal of the movement itself.

However, government could use Chauri Chaura to justify its repression of the movement.

If movement was started at that time, it would have been defeated due to the repression of the government.

Gandhiji was protecting the movement from likely repression, and the people from demoralization.

Mass movements tend to ebb in some time. Hence, withdrawal is a part of the strategy of mass movements.

Gandhiji was tried in 1922 and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment.

He invited the court to award him “the highest penalty that can be inflicted upon me for what in law is a deliberate crime, and what appears to be the highest duty of a citizen”.

Positives out of the non-cooperation movement:

Congress started commanding the support and sympathy of vast sections of the Indian people.

Millions of Indians became politically involved. Women were drawn into the movement.

Muslims participated heavily and communal unity was maintained.

Strengthened the national movement. Nationalist sentiments and the national movement had reached the remotest corners of the land.

People gained tremendous self-confidence and self-esteem.

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